Krishnaanuja: The Goddess Of Illusion (Editting)

The Challenge!

It was a calm morning in Hastinapura. Subhadra and Dushala were sitting in the garden, whispering conspiratorially. Their laughter drew attention from passersby, but the two young women were too engrossed in their plans to care.

“Subhu, I heard that you’ve challenged Bhrata Nakul to a contest?” Dushala asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes, I have. And trust me, Dushu, I will win,” Subhadra replied with confidence.

Dushala giggled. “Do you think you can outsmart him?”

Subhadra smirked. “Oh, I know I can. But I’ll need your help. Are you in?”

Dushala’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Of course, Subhu! What’s the plan?”

Subhadra leaned in and whispered into her ear. After listening, Dushala burst into laughter.

“Now, get my lipstick and kajal, Dushu,” Subhadra instructed.

“But Subhu, you never wear those,” Dushala pointed out.

“Exactly. But today, they will serve a different purpose,” Subhadra said, a mischievous grin spreading across her face.

---

Late that night, the two girls tiptoed into Nakul’s chamber, armed with the lipstick and kajal. Nakul was fast asleep, his face peaceful under the dim light of an oil lamp.

“Let’s make him the most beautiful man in Aryavarta, shall we?” Subhadra whispered, stifling her laughter.

Dushala nodded, her hands trembling with suppressed giggles. They smeared an excessive amount of lipstick on Nakul’s lips and darkened his eyes with layers of kajal. The end result was both hilarious and horrifying.

Unable to control their laughter, they quickly left his chamber and returned to their own. “Now, Bhrata Nakul is ready for his new title—‘Nakuli, the fairest of them all!’” Subhadra said, laughing uncontrollably.

---

The next morning, the royal family gathered in the main hall for breakfast. Subhadra and Dushala sat beside each other, giggling uncontrollably. When Nakul walked in, the entire hall erupted into laughter.

“Good morning, Nakuli!” Arjuna greeted, laughing so hard he had to hold his stomach.

“Nakuli? What do you mean?” Nakul asked, confused.

“Oh, Bhrata Nakuli, you’ve never looked more handsome! Or should I say… beautiful?” Bhima said, barely managing to get the words out amidst his laughter. “Bhrata Yudhishthira, I think we should conduct a swayamvara for our dear Nakuli!”

Yudhishthira, though usually composed, struggled to suppress his chuckles. “Anuj Nakul, I suggest you check your reflection before breakfast,” he advised.

Realizing something was amiss, Nakul touched his face and ran to the nearest mirror. Upon seeing his reflection, his eyes widened in disbelief.

“I knew it! This is the work of those two pranksters!” Nakul said, glaring at Subhadra and Dushala, who were now laughing openly.

“No, Bhrata Nakul. Dushala couldn’t have done it alone. It’s clearly the handiwork of her partner in crime, our dearest cousin Subhadra!” Sahadeva said with a grin.

Subhadra and Dushala exchanged guilty smiles but made no attempt to deny the accusation.

“Anuj Nakul, go wash your face and come back,” Yudhishthira said, shaking his head in amusement.

---

As breakfast resumed, the atmosphere remained light and cheerful. However, Duryodhana, seated at the other end of the table with Dushasana, Karna, and Shakuni, couldn’t take his eyes off Subhadra.

“Mamashree, who is this enchanting girl?” Duryodhana asked Shakuni.

“She is Krishnaanuja, Princess Subhadra,” Shakuni replied, his tone calculated.

“Mamashree, she is the most beautiful woman in all of Aryavarta. I want her as my wife,” Duryodhana declared, his eyes gleaming with determination.

Shakuni gave him a sly smile. “Patience, Bhaanji. She will be yours soon,” he assured.

“But why is she sitting so close to Arjuna? And why do they keep sharing glances?” Duryodhana asked, his tone laced with jealousy.

“Patience, Bhaanji. All will unfold in time,” Shakuni said, his smile never wavering.

Meanwhile, Dushasana’s gaze lingered on Subhadra with unbridled lust, while Karna’s expression was one of quiet admiration and respect.

---

Later that day, Subhadra and Dushala decided to play a game in the garden. They called Nakul and Arjuna for ideas.

“What’s going on, my naughty sisters?” Nakul teased as he approached with Arjuna.

“We want to play something. Any ideas, Bhrata?” Subhadra asked sweetly.

“How about hide-and-seek?” Arjuna suggested.

Everyone agreed, and Dushala volunteered to be the seeker. As she began counting, everyone scattered to hide. Yudhishthira hid behind a tree, Bhima and Sahadeva behind a large rock, and Nakul climbed up a tree. Arjuna and Subhadra found a spot behind a bush.

As Dushala searched, chaos ensued. Bhima found a mango and started eating it. When Sahadeva accidentally knocked another mango down, Bhima grabbed him by the neck, ready to scold him. Their commotion drew Yudhishthira out of his hiding spot to mediate. Seeing this, Nakul lost his balance from laughing too hard and fell out of the tree.

“I found you all!” Dushala declared triumphantly. “Now, let’s find Arjuna and Subhadra.”

---

Behind the bush, Subhadra winced as a thorn pricked her foot. She let out a soft moan of pain, catching Arjuna’s attention. Concerned, he tore a strip of cloth from his angavastra and knelt to bandage her foot.

“Are you alright, Subhadra?” he asked gently, his voice filled with care.

“Yes, Rajkumar. Thank you,” Subhadra replied, touched by his kindness.

Just then, Sahadeva spotted them. “We found you!” he called out, grinning.

Arjuna quickly stood up, shielding Subhadra. “You all go back to the palace. I’ll bring Subhadra after tending to her injury,” he said firmly.

The others nodded and left. Alone with Subhadra, Arjuna carefully helped her to her feet. When she winced again, he hesitated.

“There’s only one solution left. May I carry you, Princess?” he asked, a playful smile tugging at his lips.

Subhadra blushed deeply but nodded. “I’m sorry for troubling you, Rajkumar,” she murmured.

“It’s no trouble at all, Subhadra. Carrying you feels like an honor,” Arjuna said, his voice soft. As he lifted her, his gaze lingered on her face, admiring her beauty.

Subhadra couldn’t meet his eyes, her cheeks burning. Arjuna carried her to her chamber, gently laying her on the bed. Before leaving, he brushed a strand of her hair away from her face and smiled warmly.

“Take care, Subhadra,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

As he walked away, Subhadra lay in her chamber, her heart racing. Her thoughts were filled with Arjuna, and she couldn’t help but smile. “What is happening to me? Why does my heart beat only for him?” she wondered, her feelings growing stronger with each passing moment.

So this was today's chapter. Hope u liked it...

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